Ok guys…just went to a local gun show in South Fla, found a vendor that had about 3 LE 6920’s for sale, along with some other Colt LE carbines, and this vendor’s prices were THROUGH THE ROOF!!!
They wanted $2300 and change for the LE6920’s…they had a used LE 6721 for about $1800…the most they would do is take off about $100 if I paid cash!!!
I also found some various vendors selling Sporters and Match Target rifles in the $1600-$1800 range.
When I asked why such high prices, I was told that it was because Colt was no longer going to be manufacturing rifles for sale to the public in the US…they were moving their plant to Canada or something like that.
I’ve seen the rumors that Colt won’t sell to civilians other than cops so it isn’t out of the realm of possiblity. IMO, I will not try to obtain one due to the price and that policy. They may be excellent weapons and the best in the AR sector but that doesn’t make me want one any more especially when there are many other great companies out there.
I know, they’re the only “teir one” AR maker… (unless you count FN.)
Maybe this article will help shed a little light but take it for what it is worth since it is wiki.
They’re just flaunting because they think the new M5 is going to be the hottest thing since plastic. Some of the R&D staff think Colt is going to slam all competiton… The M5 is very cool. But, its still a matter of money<value.
Really? (I am assuming you mean AR’s alone and you are not including the M16 family of weapons.) Why aren’t some of the others (RRA, Bushmaster, Armalite, DPMS, Stag, etc.) considered teir one?
OK, let’s refrase the question. What qualifies an AR-15 manufacturer to have their weapons considered teir one? (Besides having the Colt logo stamped in the receiver.)
That same info is elsewhere on this site and several others.
however, the short answer is that they must at least meet the military specifications for the M4/M16 platform with the exception that they are semi-auto and not full/burst. None of the others you listed do, despite their erroneous and fraudulent advertising claims to the contrary.
The first tier is easy (as there are only two companies in it). How the rest of the players fall in is really personal opinion. Here is my view of the AR world:
I would put DPMS ahead of Armalite for sure and BM has a known bolt breakage problem. Your really splitting hairs when you get down into the Tier 3 companies.
Were they selling at those prices? Lots of demand, limited supply, but that is a stiff mark-up. I paid 1269 for my 6920, and the distributor (Clyde Armory) is now selling them for 1199. Of course you have to go on a wait list…
Last gun shows I saw 6920s at they were going for around 1500.
The Canadian rumor has been flying around for a while. I am inclined to be skeptical. Anybody know any more?
Just my 2 cents, but a lower is a lower. I have had Colt lowers, I have had BM lowers, and I have a DPMS lower now on my latest build. Colt lowers are like Polo jeans, you are just paying for the label. My DPMS is just as good as any other I have had. I did have an Essential Arms lower like 8 years ago, it was crap. As most large manufacturers of Military type weapons get pressed into service, IE: BM and DPMS, you are getting roughly the same quality. I have only ever used BM uppers on any of my builds (like the chromed bores), so I cannot speak with any authority as to the quality of different manufacturers.
I am starting a new build soon and want to go HSLD on the parts, what do you all recommend?
I am looking at a VLTOR upper, 16" NOVESKE barrel, haven’t decided on a lower, and a Larue or Troy rail.
Any help on the lower, bolt and other parts? What do you guys like?
While the bare block of aluminum MAY in fact be virtually identical, quality of annodizing, fire control parts, and receiver extensions and buffers vary wildly.
Jerky is outrageously expensive at gun shows. Shop the net and have it shipped to your local FFL. Alternatively, have the lower shipped to your FFL and the uppr ans stock sent to you direct, saving the 11% FET (but losing the warranty).
As for bolt carrier groups and constituent parts, I have used Colt parts without issue for twentysomething years.